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Physical and humiliating punishment (PHP)

By April 2017, 52 countries have a total ban of corporal punishment in all settings. This means that a large majority of children in the world are living in countries where they are not protected against physical and humiliating punishment.

Children continue to be physically punished and deliberately humiliated in almost all societies and across all cultures as this practice remains far too common at home, in schools and institutions. Teachers, parents, and other caregivers often lack knowledge on how to guide children using nonviolent methods, and in many communities physical and humiliating punishment is deeply rooted in social norms and culture. In a humanitarian crisis, children are more at risk of physical and humiliating punishment, due to the increased stress on families, separation, and the breakdown of formal and informal safety nets.

Save the Children works towards preventing and protecting children from all forms of actual and threatened physical and humiliating punishment and bullying, in the home, in schools and in all other settings. This is done through advocating for legal reform and supporting awareness-raising initiatives leading to changes in attitudes and practices. We also promote parenting education and positive discipline programs, targeting caregivers, teachers and other people working with children. Children are seen as key actors throughout the process.

Save the Children uses the term Physical and Humiliating Punishment, instead of corporal punishment, to capture the wide array of disciplining methods used by adults towards children, which may include corporal or physical punishment, and the threat of it, as well as psychological punishment that belittles, scares or ridicules the child.

Article 19 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child requires states to take "all appropriate legislative, administrative, social and educational measures to protect the child from all forms of physical or mental violence, injury or abuse, neglect or negligent treatment, maltreatment or exploitation including sexual abuse, while in the care of parent(s), legal guardian(s) or any other person who has the care of the child..."

Documents (207)

This publication contains a collection of Spanish language resources on the ’Elimination of physical and humiliating punishment and the promotion of positive discipline’. This list was developed by Save the Children’s Regional Office for Latin America and

This poster and card for printing promote childhoods without violence: the ending of corporal punishment and the promotion of positive discipline. The card contains additional information and facts on corporal punishment and positive discipline.

This study is part of a Save the Children initiative to generate knowledge on progress in Latin America on supporting parents’ roles as care givers and promoting positive discipline and non-violent parenting practices. The study is comprised of two phases

There is limited redress available to children affected by violence and for their families in seeking justice for these violations. Save the children supports partners and coalitions to raise awareness and advocates with key stakeholders to prevent violen

In 2009, Save the Children launched the Global Child Protection Initiative (CPI) to strengthen children’s right to be protected from abuse, neglect, exploitation and violence. By 2015, Save the Children aims to have improved the lives of 21 million childr

In 2013, the Bernard van Leer Foundation supported Boğaziçi University, Humanist Bureau and Frekans Research to conduct a national scale survey on domestic violence against children aged 0-8 years in Turkey. The main objective of the survey was to obtain

Save the Children has compiled and shared the views of children and young people around the world and their vision for the post-2015 Agenda. This report summarises their findings and emphasises that the prevention and response to violence against childre

Queriendo se entiende la familia: Guía de intervención sobre parentalidad positiva para profesionales, is a positive parenting intervention guide developed by Save the Children Spain. The guide is intended for professionals with training in the educat

Save the Children works towards eliminating all forms of corporal or physical punishment and other humiliating or degrading punishment of children in all settings. For this reason, Save the Children Italy, Save the Children Lithuania, Save the Children Ro

This working paper contributes to available research on the effects of corporal punishment on children and its implications for their capacity to benefit from school. It looks specifically at the experiences of children aged between 8 and 16 in Andhra Pra

“Only 5.5% of the world’s children live in countries where they are completely protected in law from all forms of corporal punishment.” This is a special progress report prepared for the high-level conference hosted by Sweden’s Ministry of Health and Soci